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DECEMBER 21, 2006 By Stephen Hardy -- While the acclaim was by no means universal, supporters of yesterday's attempt by the FCC to streamline video franchise processes drew instant support from a variety of telco, systems vendor, and association sources.
Not surprisingly, Verizon (search for Verizon) -- which has pushed hard for franchise reform as it rolls out its FiOS FTTP offering -- lauded the commission's work. "Today's action will fast-forward the delivery of new choices, lower prices, and better services to consumers," said Susanne Guyer, Verizon senior vice president for federal regulatory affairs. "The FCC is standing up for consumers who are tired of skyrocketing cable bills and want greater choice in service providers and programming. Verizon has an aggressive schedule to deploy FiOS TV. This order will enable us to reach agreements with local franchise authorities more quickly so we can deliver the benefits of competition to consumers faster. The FCC has taken strong steps to increase consumer choice and spur investment in broadband and video deployment."
An executive at Alcatel-Lucent (search for Alcatel-Lucent), which currently supplies FTTH and FTTN gear to AT&T and won a contract to supply GPON equipment to Verizon earlier this year, echoed Guyer's comments. "This is a victory for both consumers and for the advancement of next-generation broadband networks across the U.S.," said Cindy Christy, Alcatel-Lucent, president North America. "Through these reforms competitive entrants in the video market can help accelerate the availability of high-speed broadband to consumers and enterprises across the United States."
"The FCC is to be applauded for today's action streamlining the outmoded and detrimental video franchising process," asserted Joe Savage, president of the Fiber-to-the-Home Council (search for the FTTH Council). "This action caps a year in which state legislators and governors in eight states joined Texas in enacting new laws facilitating new video entry over fiber-to-the-home and other advanced broadband networks. As a result, American consumers will have more choice, lower rates, and access to much higher-speed broadband networks."
Savage also patted the FCC on the back for potentially extending deregulation to incumbent cable providers via a further rulemaking. "We feel that where competition exists, it is important to extend deregulation to all participants."
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